[OVERVIEW]
Rotom-W is the best defensive Pokemon available for Electric-type teams and is an amazing pivot because of its immunity to Ground and its good physical bulk. Rotom-W's STAB Hydro Pump allows it to counter Pokemon such as Sand Rush Excadrill and hit Rock- and Fire-types for super effective damage. Rotom-W also has access to Will-O-Wisp, which allows it to weaken physical attackers. Rotom-W has a poor HP stat, but it makes up for this with its access to Pain Split, which increases longevity and allows Rotom-W to support its team. Pain Split is Rotom-W's only way of recovering health other than holding Leftovers, however. Also, Rotom-W has a lackluster Speed tier and cannot afford Speed investment, so it fails to outspeed threatening wallbreakers like Dragonite and Tapu Bulu. Rotom-W can be a Defogger for Electric-type teams, but it's limited because it wants room for other moves.
[SET]
name: Physically Defensive Pivot
move 1: Volt Switch
move 2: Hydro Pump
move 3: Will-O-Wisp
move 4: Pain Split / Defog
item: Leftovers
ability: Levitate
nature: Bold
evs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
=======
Volt Switch is an Electric-type STAB attack that allows Rotom-W to gain momentum against many Pokemon. Hydro Pump is how Rotom-W handles Ground-types and counters Pokemon such as Sand Rush Excadrill, Hippowdon, and most physical Fire-types like Infernape and Entei. Will-O-Wisp allows Rotom-W to weaken physical attackers that may pressure the rest of its team, and it also lets Rotom-W check Pokemon like Terrakion, Garchomp, and Landorus-T. Pain Split is crucial for Rotom-W because of low HP stat and lack of other recovery forms. It allows Rotom-W to take hits and exploit Pokemon like Chansey. Defog can be used over Pain Split because there are not many viable Defoggers for Electric teams outside of Zapdos. With Rotom-W running Defog, Zapdos has the freedom to use different sets.
Set Details
=========
Maximum HP EVs allow Rotom-W to take hits despite its poor HP stat. Maximum Defense EVs with a Bold Nature allow Rotom-W to be the physically defensive pivot that Electric-type teams need. It can take attacks like Outrage from Choice Band Dragonite and even an Earth Power from Life Orb Kyurem-B. Leftovers is the best item for Rotom-W because of its lack of a reliable recovery move.
Usage Tips
========
Rotom-W is part of Electric's defensive core and thus should be preserved throughout a game. It is great at gaining momentum and burning Pokemon that can potentially threaten Electric-type teams, and it can use its lower Speed stat to its advantage by getting off a slow Volt Switch. Rotom-W may be a defensive pivot, but it shouldn't be used to check every physical attacker. Tapu Bulu, for example, can potentially OHKO Rotom-W. If using Rotom-W as a Defogger, you may have to play more cautiously if you want to keep hazards off the field because Defog Rotom-W lacks Pain Split. In addition, Electric-type teams rely on Rotom-W to burn and cripple physical attackers that could threaten the rest of the team. Try to avoid getting Rotom-W hit by Toxic because that will make it quickly worn down. Rotom-W should also avoid Knock Off because it relies on Leftovers to stay healthy. Since Rotom-W is a physically defensive pivot, it does not take special hits very well. Pokemon like Latios threaten Rotom-W out because of powerful moves like Draco Meteor and Psychic being capable of 2HKOing it.
Team Options
=========
Zapdos is one of Rotom-W's best partners due to their good defensive synergy, as Rotom-W is able to burn physical attackers like Tyranitar, which can threaten Zapdos with Stone Edge, whereas Zapdos takes Grass-type attacks that Rotom-W can't and commonly runs Heat Wave to beat Pokemon like Ferrothorn. This core holds Electric-type teams together because both Rotom-W and Zapdos have recovery options and are capable of taking on most offensive cores. Tapu Koko helps tackle Dragon-type Pokemon that threaten Rotom-W such as Kyurem-B and Latios, and Rotom-W supports Tapu Koko by switching into strong Steel- and Ground-type attacks that threaten it. Magnezone is a great partner for Rotom-W because it traps and beats Ferrothorn, which otherwise checks Rotom-W. Rotom-W can use Volt Switch on Ferrothorn and switch to Magnezone to then use Hidden Power Fire. Ferrothorn being KOed gives Rotom-W a much easier time against Steel teams because it does not have to worry about Leech Seed taking away its HP. Alolan Raichu supports Rotom-W by beating Mega Venusaur, which counters Rotom-W. Although Poison-type teams do have Alolan Muk to stop Alolan Raichu, Rotom-W can check Alolan Muk and burn it. Xurkitree and Rotom-W also work well together because Xurkitree's access to Energy Ball means it can offensively check Gastrodon and Seismitoad, both of which counter and badly poison Rotom-W. Rotom-W supports Xurkitree because of its Ground immunity. Thundurus is another Pokemon that works well with Rotom-W because it offensively checks Pokemon that counter Rotom-W, such as Chansey and Mega Venusaur, with Knock Off, Superpower, and Supersonic Skystrike. Rotom-W supports Thundurus by taking Ice-type attacks such as Icicle Crash from Mamoswine and Ice Beam from Kyurem-B.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
============
Electric
-------
Toxic can be run over Will-O-Wisp, which allows Rotom-W to wear down and beat Pokemon that it usually can't such as Gastrodon, Seismitoad, and Cradily. However, Rotom-W not running Will-O-Wisp will make its team vulnerable to physical setup attackers sweepers like Bisharp and Garchomp.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Grass-type Pokemon**: Almost every Grass-type can switch in on Rotom-W and beat it. Tapu Bulu, Mega Venusaur, and Breloom all counter Rotom-W.
**Dragon-type Pokemon**: Dragon-type Pokemon resist both of Rotom-W's STAB moves. Rotom-W also does not take Draco Meteor from Pokemon like Latios and Hydreigon very well.
**Gastrodon and Seismitoad**: Both Gastrodon and Seismitoad can switch into Rotom-W and are immune to its attacks.
**Wallbreakers**: Pokemon like Choice Band Dragonite, Choice Specs Hydreigon, Choice Band Diggersby, and Mega Charizard X are very threatening to Rotom-W because they need no setup to overpower it.
**Teravolt and Mold Breaker Users**: Kyurem-B's ability Teravolt allows it to use Earth Power on Rotom-W, and its Dragon typing makes it a solid switch-in to Rotom-W. Excadrill can beat Rotom-W with Earthquake because of Mold Breaker.
**Toxic Users**: Since Electric-type teams lack a cleric, a badly poisoned Rotom-W will become limited on how many times it can switch into physical attackers and will faint quickly.
**Specially Defensive Pokemon**: Pokemon like Chansey and Zapdos can always switch into Rotom-W and recover against it because of its lack of power.
Rotom-W is the best defensive Pokemon available for Electric-type teams and is an amazing pivot because of its immunity to Ground and its good physical bulk. Rotom-W's STAB Hydro Pump allows it to counter Pokemon such as Sand Rush Excadrill and hit Rock- and Fire-types for super effective damage. Rotom-W also has access to Will-O-Wisp, which allows it to weaken physical attackers. Rotom-W has a poor HP stat, but it makes up for this with its access to Pain Split, which increases longevity and allows Rotom-W to support its team. Pain Split is Rotom-W's only way of recovering health other than holding Leftovers, however. Also, Rotom-W has a lackluster Speed tier and cannot afford Speed investment, so it fails to outspeed threatening wallbreakers like Dragonite and Tapu Bulu. Rotom-W can be a Defogger for Electric-type teams, but it's limited because it wants room for other moves.
[SET]
name: Physically Defensive Pivot
move 1: Volt Switch
move 2: Hydro Pump
move 3: Will-O-Wisp
move 4: Pain Split / Defog
item: Leftovers
ability: Levitate
nature: Bold
evs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
=======
Volt Switch is an Electric-type STAB attack that allows Rotom-W to gain momentum against many Pokemon. Hydro Pump is how Rotom-W handles Ground-types and counters Pokemon such as Sand Rush Excadrill, Hippowdon, and most physical Fire-types like Infernape and Entei. Will-O-Wisp allows Rotom-W to weaken physical attackers that may pressure the rest of its team, and it also lets Rotom-W check Pokemon like Terrakion, Garchomp, and Landorus-T. Pain Split is crucial for Rotom-W because of low HP stat and lack of other recovery forms. It allows Rotom-W to take hits and exploit Pokemon like Chansey. Defog can be used over Pain Split because there are not many viable Defoggers for Electric teams outside of Zapdos. With Rotom-W running Defog, Zapdos has the freedom to use different sets.
Set Details
=========
Maximum HP EVs allow Rotom-W to take hits despite its poor HP stat. Maximum Defense EVs with a Bold Nature allow Rotom-W to be the physically defensive pivot that Electric-type teams need. It can take attacks like Outrage from Choice Band Dragonite and even an Earth Power from Life Orb Kyurem-B. Leftovers is the best item for Rotom-W because of its lack of a reliable recovery move.
Usage Tips
========
Rotom-W is part of Electric's defensive core and thus should be preserved throughout a game. It is great at gaining momentum and burning Pokemon that can potentially threaten Electric-type teams, and it can use its lower Speed stat to its advantage by getting off a slow Volt Switch. Rotom-W may be a defensive pivot, but it shouldn't be used to check every physical attacker. Tapu Bulu, for example, can potentially OHKO Rotom-W. If using Rotom-W as a Defogger, you may have to play more cautiously if you want to keep hazards off the field because Defog Rotom-W lacks Pain Split. In addition, Electric-type teams rely on Rotom-W to burn and cripple physical attackers that could threaten the rest of the team. Try to avoid getting Rotom-W hit by Toxic because that will make it quickly worn down. Rotom-W should also avoid Knock Off because it relies on Leftovers to stay healthy. Since Rotom-W is a physically defensive pivot, it does not take special hits very well. Pokemon like Latios threaten Rotom-W out because of powerful moves like Draco Meteor and Psychic being capable of 2HKOing it.
Team Options
=========
Zapdos is one of Rotom-W's best partners due to their good defensive synergy, as Rotom-W is able to burn physical attackers like Tyranitar, which can threaten Zapdos with Stone Edge, whereas Zapdos takes Grass-type attacks that Rotom-W can't and commonly runs Heat Wave to beat Pokemon like Ferrothorn. This core holds Electric-type teams together because both Rotom-W and Zapdos have recovery options and are capable of taking on most offensive cores. Tapu Koko helps tackle Dragon-type Pokemon that threaten Rotom-W such as Kyurem-B and Latios, and Rotom-W supports Tapu Koko by switching into strong Steel- and Ground-type attacks that threaten it. Magnezone is a great partner for Rotom-W because it traps and beats Ferrothorn, which otherwise checks Rotom-W. Rotom-W can use Volt Switch on Ferrothorn and switch to Magnezone to then use Hidden Power Fire. Ferrothorn being KOed gives Rotom-W a much easier time against Steel teams because it does not have to worry about Leech Seed taking away its HP. Alolan Raichu supports Rotom-W by beating Mega Venusaur, which counters Rotom-W. Although Poison-type teams do have Alolan Muk to stop Alolan Raichu, Rotom-W can check Alolan Muk and burn it. Xurkitree and Rotom-W also work well together because Xurkitree's access to Energy Ball means it can offensively check Gastrodon and Seismitoad, both of which counter and badly poison Rotom-W. Rotom-W supports Xurkitree because of its Ground immunity. Thundurus is another Pokemon that works well with Rotom-W because it offensively checks Pokemon that counter Rotom-W, such as Chansey and Mega Venusaur, with Knock Off, Superpower, and Supersonic Skystrike. Rotom-W supports Thundurus by taking Ice-type attacks such as Icicle Crash from Mamoswine and Ice Beam from Kyurem-B.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
============
Electric
-------
Toxic can be run over Will-O-Wisp, which allows Rotom-W to wear down and beat Pokemon that it usually can't such as Gastrodon, Seismitoad, and Cradily. However, Rotom-W not running Will-O-Wisp will make its team vulnerable to physical setup attackers sweepers like Bisharp and Garchomp.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Grass-type Pokemon**: Almost every Grass-type can switch in on Rotom-W and beat it. Tapu Bulu, Mega Venusaur, and Breloom all counter Rotom-W.
**Dragon-type Pokemon**: Dragon-type Pokemon resist both of Rotom-W's STAB moves. Rotom-W also does not take Draco Meteor from Pokemon like Latios and Hydreigon very well.
**Gastrodon and Seismitoad**: Both Gastrodon and Seismitoad can switch into Rotom-W and are immune to its attacks.
**Wallbreakers**: Pokemon like Choice Band Dragonite, Choice Specs Hydreigon, Choice Band Diggersby, and Mega Charizard X are very threatening to Rotom-W because they need no setup to overpower it.
**Teravolt and Mold Breaker Users**: Kyurem-B's ability Teravolt allows it to use Earth Power on Rotom-W, and its Dragon typing makes it a solid switch-in to Rotom-W. Excadrill can beat Rotom-W with Earthquake because of Mold Breaker.
**Toxic Users**: Since Electric-type teams lack a cleric, a badly poisoned Rotom-W will become limited on how many times it can switch into physical attackers and will faint quickly.
**Specially Defensive Pokemon**: Pokemon like Chansey and Zapdos can always switch into Rotom-W and recover against it because of its lack of power.
Last edited: